Film scanner options

mark · Nov 29, 2018

I have found myself exercising my Hartblei 88 shutter and tracking the wife in the view finder. She told to quit. Maybe it was the comments that accompanied said tracking.

I got thinking it would be nice to shoot with it again but have no ability to print BW or color. Then I thought about scanning. Then I realized I have no clue what I am looking for.

I have PS and am learning to use it so I got that end covered. Scanners on the other hand are confusing. The ability to scan 4x5 would be great but it looks like that ability is way out of my range. No idea where to start looking.

Any thoughts on where to begin?

Les Sarile · Nov 30, 2018

An older Epson V700/750 can scan 8X10 and smaller film. Here is an example scan of a WWII 4X5 b&w film at 2400dpi.

Full res -> http://www.fototime.com/5DCEE0B3D75F78C/orig.jpg

Pentode · Nov 30, 2018

Agreed. The older Epsons are really pretty great for what they are.

TSSPro · Nov 30, 2018

I used a 750 refurb for years until I was able to get into the newer v800. The aftermarket holders for roll film are a must. Then you can control the hight of the film with shims since the lens is fixed focus. The included holders for the 800 are crap- the anti-newton plexi isn't worth fighting. Older v700 holders or aftermarket are the way to go. 8x10 is finicky, though. There may need to be some home engineering to get that perfectly right.

Alan Edward Klein · Nov 30, 2018

Nice shot. Very interesting. Is the sky showing artifacts or actual grain?

mark · Nov 30, 2018

Problem is, I have no idea what pretty great means. There are lots of numbers and terms I don't understand so choosing something is difficult because I don't understand what I'm comparing.

I tried to searching but really did not know what to search for. Is there a place that shows comparisons between different bit depths, and or DPI?

macfred · Nov 30, 2018

Film scanner test-reports: complete overview of all the models https://www.filmscanner.info/en/FilmscannerTestberichte.html

mark · Nov 30, 2018

macfred said:
Film scanner test-reports: complete overview of all the models https://www.filmscanner.info/en/FilmscannerTestberichte.html

This looks like what I was looking for.

Les Sarile · Nov 30, 2018

mark said:
This looks like what I was looking for.

In the world of 4X5 and larger, it will come down to good enough vs cost because outside of desktop flatbed the only options will be Imacons and drum scanners.

Les Sarile · Nov 30, 2018

TSSPro said:
I used a 750 refurb for years until I was able to get into the newer v800. The aftermarket holders for roll film are a must. Then you can control the hight of the film with shims since the lens is fixed focus.

Shimming/adjusting proper height of film holders used with desktop flatbed with no autofocus lens only apply to medium format and smaller.

Mainecoonmaniac · Nov 30, 2018

I have an old Epson V700 and it's a good all-around scanner. The film holder that came with the scanner isn't the greatest. I use these carriers and they really improve the scans. They're not as convenient to use as the original film holder though.

http://www.betterscanning.com/scanning/models/vseries.html

Kino · Nov 30, 2018

I have an Epson 4990 Pro, complete in the original box with all film holders and original software (Epson Scan, Silverfast 6 and Photoshop Elements) that will scan up to 8x10 inch film that I would sell for $225 plus shipping.

Drivers are still available for download from the Epson Site and are compatible with Mac OS 10.14 and Windows 10.

I have upgraded to a Pro 750 and this one just sits unused.

Frankly, I don't really see any quality increase between the 4990 Pro and the 750 Pro, but I am sure others might feel differently.

PM me if interested.

Kino · Dec 1, 2018

Kino said:
I have an Epson 4990 Pro, complete in the original box with all film holders and original software (Epson Scan, Silverfast 6 and Photoshop Elements) that will scan up to 8x10 inch film that I would sell for $225 plus shipping.

Drivers are still available for download from the Epson Site and are compatible with Mac OS 10.14 and Windows 10.

I have upgraded to a Pro 750 and this one just sits unused.

Frankly, I don't really see any quality increase between the 4990 Pro and the 750 Pro, but I am sure others might feel differently.

PM me if interested.

Sorry, but this scanner is SOLD.

removed account4 · Dec 2, 2018

hi mark
i have been using an epson 4870
its old and simple and easy to use
and i use it with the original holders without issue..
regarding the dpi and all that stuff
its all about the pixies .. the more pixies
the bigger the pitcher ... for regular webified stuff
you don't need many but for a lab to make a print
more are required ... have fun !

nice camera !

Sirius Glass · Dec 2, 2018

I do not like upgrading every few years. I rather take big jumps so I recently purchased the Epson V850 scanner which can handle 35mm film, 35mm slides, 120 and 4"x5". I should get many years from this machine and not have buy another for a long long time.

Loren Sattler · Dec 4, 2018

If you have access to a decent library you should find books with how-to information on scanning film and prints. I went through this a few months ago and found a couple of very helpful books dedicated only to scanning.

Any thoughts on where to begin?[/QUOTE]

Kino · Dec 4, 2018

Sirius Glass said:
I do not like upgrading every few years. I rather take big jumps so I recently purchased the Epson V850 scanner which can handle 35mm film, 35mm slides, 120 and 4"x5". I should get many years from this machine and not have buy another for a long long time.

I would think it could handle up to 8x10 with the film area guide, or has the configuration changed since the V750 Pro?

macfred · Dec 4, 2018

Epson 8x10'' film holder for Epson-Scanner Perfection V700 Photo, Perfection V750 Pro, Perfection V800 Photo, Perfection V850Pro (and 4990 with modification).

https://www.scandig.de/filmscanner-zubehoer/epson/epson-8x10-gf-filmhalter-v700-v750.html

Film scanner options

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